Earth digging and conveying apparatus



- Jan. 21, 1969 w. o. YOUNG, JR

EARTH DIGGING AND CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1966 INVENTOR. WILL/AM O. YOUNG JR.

"'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVI Q A 1 g A T TORNE Y5 United States Patent EARTH DIGGING AND CONVEYING APPARATUS William 0. Young, Jr., Spartanburg, S.C., assignor to Du Val Development Corporation, a corporation of South Carolina Filed Nov. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 593,570

U.S. Cl. 175213 Int. Cl. E2111 21/00, 17/00; E21c 13/04 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an apparatus for digging holes, and more particularly for an apparatus which can dig a hole of any dimension and convey the dirt removed therefrom to a remote location.

Heretofore, in congested areas, such as a cemetery or a building lot which has numerous trees and obstructions thereon, when it was desired to dig a hole in the earth normally such had to be done by hand since heavy machinery capable of digging such holes could not be brought to the location due to the obstructions.

Various devices have been constructed for digging holes in the earth and the like, but none of them are provided with a simple and convenient means of conveying the earth removed from the hole to a remote location. Such a problem is particularly present in digging graves, wherein, only approximately one-third of the earth removed from the hole is deposited along side of the grave, and wherein the remaining two-thirds of the earth must be removed from the grave site. This is a particular problem where the access road to the grave site may be one hundred feet or more therefrom, requiring that the earth be placed in a wheel-barrow and manually transported to a dump truck on the access road.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for digging in the earth and automatically conveying the earth removed from the hole to a remote location.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for digging in the earth which minimizes the amount of dust and dirt that is blown upon the operator during the digging operation.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a rotating auger for digging in the earth and a fluid means for transporting the earth raised by the auger to a remote location.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a sealing means for a rotating shaft which seals an aperture through which the shaft is protruding, as well as supports a bearing or bushing upon which the shaft is riding.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an auger which is carried within a housing for digging in moist earth or clay, and raising the earth within the housing to an output port and providing the auger with a reverse helical member for preventing the earth from packing in an upper portion of the housing.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference 3,422,913 Patented Jan. 21, 1969 ice to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for digging, constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional elevation of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 4 is a plan view taken from the bottom of the apparatus looking upwardly illustrating the cutting bit for the apparatus.

The drawing illustrates an apparatus for digging in the earth including an elongated vertical housing A which defines a vertical passageway. An elongated auger B is rotatably carried within the housing closely adjacent the passageway. A cutting bit C is carried on the lower end of the auger and extends below the housing A. The apparatus is provided with a power operated means D for rotating the auger B causing the bit C to cut into the earth and causing the auger B to raise the cut earth within the housing A. An inlet port E is carried adjacent the top of the housing A, and an enlarged output port F is carried on the opposite side of the housing from the inlet port. A reverse helical member G is carried adjacent the top of the auger for preventing earth from packing in the upper portion of the passageway.

The apparatus is provided with means for supplying a suitable compressed gas, such as air, to the inlet port E for forcing earth raised by the auger out of the outlet port F. The inlet port and the output port E and F, respectively, are aligned and spaced laterally from the shank of the auger B for causing the flow of air to produce a negative pressure at the lower end of the housing A which prevents dust and earth from being blown upon the operator during the digging operation.

The elongated vertical housing A is cylindrical in shape, and the inner wall 10 of the bottom thereof tapers inwardly slightly for directing cut earth upwardly within the passageway. The upper end of the cylindrical hous ing A terminates in an outwardly extending flange 1] upon which an outwardly extending flange 12 of a smaller vertical housing 13 rests. The bottom 14 of the housing 13 provides a top for the vertical housing A. The elongated vertical housing A may be manufactured of any suitable hard material, such as steel. Suitable fastening means, such as bolts 13a, are passed through flanges 11 and 12 to secure the housings together.

An elongated auger B is rotatably carried within the housing A in close proximity with the circular passageway provided by the inner wall of the housing A. The auger has a tip 15 carried on the bottom of the shank 16 for aiding in positioning the digging mechanism. The auger has a lower or first helical member 17 for raising the cut dirt within the cylindrical housing A. The bottom of the first helical member is suitably attached to the cutting bit C. The upper end of the lower helical member 17 terminates at the base of the output opening F. A second or upper helical member G is carried on the shank 16 for preventing earth from packing in the top of the housing during the digging operation. The spiral of the upper helical member is opposite that of the lower helical member so that it tends to force the earth downwardly. The lower edge of the upper helical member G terminates adjacent the middle of the output port F and is displaced degrees from the top of the lower or first helical member 17.

The upper end of the shank 16 of the auger extends through an opening 19 in the base plate or top 14 and terminates in a reduced portion 20.

A bushing 21 made of an abrasion resistant material, such as nylon, is carried on the shank 16 of the auger within the housing A. A flexible, molded in place, elastomeric material 22 encloses and supports the bushing within the cylinder. The elastomer 22 provides a seal for the upper end of the cylinder sealing the area between the shank of the auger and the hole 19 in the top plate 14. The elastomer permits horizontal movement or runout of the auger, due to wear or shock, while maintaining a tight seal between shaft and bushing. Normally, the bushing is placed on the shank of the auger and the elastomer 22 is poured into the lower end of the housing in liquid form so as to completely encompass the bushing 21. The elastomer will solidify and hold the bushing 22 in place. One suitable elastomer is manufactured by General Electric Company, and is referred to as RTV 630 Silicone Flexible Mold Compound.

A cutting bit C is carried on the lower end of the auger and extends below the housing A. The cutting bit has a downwardly extending carbide tip 23a which is integral with a flat plate 23, such as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The flat plate 23 encloses approximately three-fourths of the bottom of the housing. Actually, the bottom of the lower helical member of the auger is attached to the flat plate 23 approximately 45 degrees behind the carbide cutting tip. In order to prevent rocks and the like from wedging between the slanted carbide tip 23a and the lower edge of the housing a small wedge 23b is carried on the bit to enclose the space between the slanted carbide tip 23a and the lower edge of the housing 10.

The apparatus is provided with means D for rotating the auger causing the bit C to cut into the earth and causing the auger B to raise the cut earth within the housing. Such includes a hydraulic motor which is suitably mounted on the upper housing 13. The drive shaft 25a of the motor extends through an aperture in a top plate 25 of the upper housing 13 and is coupled to the auger by means of a connecting sleeve 26. The connecting sleeve is cylindrical in shape and has apertures therein which correspond to an aperture on the drive shaft of the motor and an aperture on the reduced portion of the auger. Pins 27 are passed through the apertures to secure the drive shaft of the motor to the auger. The upper housing 13 has apertures 28 in the side wall thereof, for providing access to the connecting sleeve. A suitable shock absorbing member 280 is carried between the drive shaft 25a of the motor and the reduced end of the auger.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the motor being utilized is a hydraulic motor and receives fluid for powering such by means of the fluid lines 29 and 30. Other suitable motors, such as a gasoline motor, and electric motor, etc., may be utilized, however in the preferred embodiment a hydraulic motor is utilized since it develops a high torque, is relatively small in physical size, has a high horsepower to weight ratio, and is quickly reversible. The latter feature facilitates removal of the housing from the close fitting hole in the earth.

The apparatus is provided with a suitable handle 31 enabling the operator to raise and lower the digging apparatus during the digging operation. The handle 31 is secured to the top plate by means of a pair of downwardly extending braces 32 and a channel shaped member 33 which is carried on the top plate.

An air inlet port E is carried adjacent the top of the housing A, and an enlarged output port F is carried on the opposite side of the housing from the inlet port. The inlet port E and the outlet port F are aligned olfcenter from the vertical axis of the auger. Thus, when compressed gas is supplied from a compressor (not shown) through the conduit 34, the flow control valve 35, into the housing through the inlet port E, the earth raised by the auger is forced out of the output port F of the housing. A suitable nozzle 35a may be placed in the inlet port for producing the desired velocity for the flow of air therethrough. The output port F has a conduit or flexible hose 36 fastened thereon for conveying the air and earth to a remote location which may be as far as one hundred feet or more, depending on size of the compressor being used. It is noted that the air coming into the input port does not strike the auger shaft, and as a result a slight vacuum is created at the bottom of the housing A. When the input port is located such that the air will strike the auger, frequently earth and dust is blown upwardly during the digging operation since a positive pressure is created at the bottom of the housing A. By displacing the input port and the output port offcenter of the vertical axis a small negative pressure is created at the bottom of the housing A. Moreover, by locating the inlet and outlet ports in such a way as to eliminate any continuous obstruction in the frustum of the cone formed by inlet and outlet ports, the maximum venturi effect and conveying efliciency is realized. When the venturi effect is disturbed as by an obstruction, there is an increased blow out around the bottom of the auger housing. While the center line of the inlet and outlet ports is illustrated in a horizontal plane, such under certain circumstances can be in other planes.

In operation the operator merely lifts the apparatus by the handle 31, positions the bit C on the ground, and the rotation of the bit causes a hole to be dug. The earth being raised by the lower helical member 17 of the auger is positioned by such in the flow of air passing between the inlet port and the outlet port E and F, respectively. The flow of air forces the earth out of the output port E and the hose 36 to a remote location. The reverse helical member 18 prevents the earth being raised by the lower helical member from being packed into the top of the housing A.

After the operator has dug a hole to the desired depth, he merely raises the apparatus and digs another hole. Such an operation is continued until the initial hole is enlarged to the desired amount.

In one embodiment of the invention a ball-type valve (not shown) has been placed in the outlet tube so as to momentarily close off such when it is desired to raise the apparatus. Pressure increases in the housing and aids in removing the apparatus from the hole. Further, it has been shown that by rotating the auger in the opposite direction from that used in digging facilitates removal of the apparatus from the hole.

When there is water present in the excavation, the combination of the suction and auger action lifts the water up to the outlet port of the device, and the water is expelled with the earth.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for digging in the earth comprising: an elongated vertical housing defining a vertical cylindrical passageway; an elongated auger rotatably carried within said housing closely adjacent said passageway; a cutting bit carried on a lower end of said auger extending below said housing; means for rotating said auger causing said bit to cut into the earth and causing said auger to raise the cut earth within said housing; an air inlet port carried adjacent the top of said housing; an enlarged output port carried by said housing on the same center line as said inlet port; means for supplying compressed air to said inlet port for forcing earth raised by said auger out of said outlet port, said inlet port and said output port being aligned and spaced laterally from the shank of said auger for causing said compressed air to produce a negative pressure at the lower end of said housing preventing dust and earth from being blown upon the operator.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a flat plate is integral with said cutting bit, and said fiat plate encloses approximately three-fourths of the bottom of said housing.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a top is carried on said housing having an opening therein for receiving the shank of said auger; a bushing carried on said shank within said housing; and a flexible elastomeric material enclosing and supporting said bushing within said housing, whereby said elastomeric material provides a seal for an upper end of said housing while permitting slight lateral movement of said auger shank when said auger is rotating in said bushing.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said auger has a first helical member for raising said earth in said passageway to said output port; and a second helical member carried by said auger, the direction of the spiral of said second helical member being opposite that of said first helical member, whereby during the digging operation said second helical member prevents earth from packing within the passageway above said output port.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the top of said first helical member terminates adjacent the bottom of said output port and wherein the bottom of said second helical member terminates adjacent the middle of said output port, and said top of said first helical member being displaced 180 degrees from the bottom of said second helical member.

6. An apparatus for digging in the earth comprising: an elongated vertical housing defining a vertical cylindrical passageway; an elongated auger rotatably carried within said housing closely adjacent said passageway; a cutting bit carried on a lower end of said auger extending below said housing; means for rotating said auger causing said bit to cut into the earth and causing said auger to raise the cut earth within said housing; an air inlet port carried adjacent the top of said housing; an enlarged outlet port carried on the opposite side of said passageway from said inlet port; a conduit communicating with said outlet port; and means for supplying compressed air to said inlet port for forcing earth raised by said auger out of said outlet port and conduit to a remote location.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said inlet port and said output port are aligned oiT-center from the vertical axis of said auger.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,850,317 3/1932 Dikant -209 1,931,348 10/1933 Grifliths 175-209 1,985,157 12/1934 Friedman et al. 175-209 X 2,041,690 5/1936 Baumeister 175-209 X 2,182,165 12/1939 Smith 175-209 X 2,197,989 4/1940 Tyler et a1. 175-207 X 2,250,671 7/1941 Joy 175-394 X 2,730,333 1/1956 Lenhart et a1 175-209 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

R. E. FAUREAU, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 175-324, 394, 323 

